A painted plaster (chalkware) devotional figure depicting Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, rendered standing in the traditional habit of the Discalced Carmelite order while cradling a crucifix adorned with roses. The statuette features traditional hand-applied polychrome paint over a molded plaster core, mounted on a stepped rectangular base. (The photo set also includes an accompanying medievalist figure of the crowned Madonna and Child in a matching polychrome style.)

Condition Report & Details

• Subject / Sitter: Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (The Little Flower of Jesus)
• Material / Technique: cast plaster (chalkware), hand-painted polychrome finish
• Decorative Details: Carmelite habit featuring a brown tunic, ivory mantle, black veil, white wimple, holding a crucifix draped with roses
• Colour & Surface: matte polychrome palette in tones of brown, cream, black, rose pink, and green
• Condition: widespread surface rubbing, paint flaking, and paint loss along mantle edges, veil, facial features, and base, exposing the white plaster ground underneath

History

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897) was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, quickly becoming one of the most widely venerated saints of the modern era. Her standard iconography—holding a crucifix wrapped in roses—refers directly to her deathbed statement that she would "let fall a shower of roses" from heaven. Devotional plaster statuettes of this design were heavily produced for Catholic domestic shrines, convent cells, and parish churches throughout France and Western Europe during the early to mid-20th century.